. . . this iconic documentary eavesdropping on the recording sessions is as compelling as it was 20 years ago. At its core is Bernstein's matchless charisma. There's Lenny the joyful, cuddly maestro who's relishing the crack New York session orchestra penetrating into the funk of his swinging jazz writing, and then there's Bernstein as benevolent bully when lesser mortals err . . . And with superb performances of "West Side Story"'s many showstoppers -- 'America', 'Cool', 'Tonight' -- and Bernstein's imposing, wisecracking presence on the podium, this moment of captured history remains vivid and exciting with every viewing.

. . . after the death of this famous conductor, who also happens to be the composer of this brilliant musical, this 1984 documentary has more historical interest than it had back then . . . The super pick-up orchestra catches exactly the heady fusion of American classical, jazz, Broadway, and Latino elements . . . Bernstein also has a thorough command of the work's theatrical inflections to make this a compelling performance . . . Here we have the added wit and theatrics of Bernstein, as much a performer as his singers.

Record Review /
Traubner,
American Record Guide / 01. January 2006

The recording Bernstein made is unique, offers many pleasures, and will always merit study . . . there are many things to savor in the recording: the sensational playing of the crack pickup orchestra led with incomparable élan by the composer, the earthy Anita of Tatiana Troyanos, the splendid character singing, and the sparkling clear digital sound. The definitive recording of "West Side Story", the Broadway musical, is the cast recording with the heartbreaking Maria of Carol Lawrence, the ardent Tony of Larry Kert, and the unique, star-making Anita of Chita Rivera. The good stereo sound is more than adequate. However, the movie soundtrack recording in the 2003 reissue is electrifying. Richard Beymer is even better than Larry Kert as Tony and Marni Nixon is a masterful Maria. Rita Moreno is hardly less effective than Chita Rivera . . . it is impossible not to marvel along with Leonard Bernstein at its evergreen ¿freshness¿. Bring on those tissues!

Bernstein, conducting his musical for the first time, alternates between for the first time, alternates between thunderclouds and sunshine as he whips his top-flight scratch band into shape and exuberantly encourages his unlikely cast of singers to new heights.